Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1887-12-01

The celebration ut Helena over tn
completion Of the Manitoba and Mon
tana Central, las. week, was nOtabl,
event. All of those who took a con
spicuous part in the building of thes,
roads were present, and Montana,
capital did herself proud in the man
ner in which she entertained them and
displayed her gratitude. Every speech
was a gem, showing that for orators
as well as railroads, Montana is com.
ing TO the front very rapidly. The
Little Giant" was the hero Of the
hour. although Mr.. Hill received his
mead of praise. ToCol. Broadw ater's
abiding faith, energy and public spirit,
must be credited the building of the
Montana Central, il not in fact, the
|1aaitoha- That this seaea l shse.sla sse
built without government aid, without
a. subsidy or land grant, but by private
enterprise and wealth alone, entities
the owners to the warmest regard and
the most generous support. What
they have accomplished is set forth in
the fOllOwingextract from the eloquent
address OF Maj. Maginnis:
! would not be entirely frank IL did not
admit that, under the conditions which
they come. that they deserve your
brought you u benefit for which no dsu,a nd
has been made on your resources; that
they have not asked ri the people Of Mon.
tana one dollar In subscriptions or one
cent in smbsdlies; that they have not only
not Increased your public indebtedness. or
swelled your taxes, but that they have
added a vast property to your assessment
roll. which not only stands willing to pay
It's share al the common expenses in future.
but that IL has voluntarily assumed and
liable for it's sha re Of the indebtedness that
you had contracted before in came. In
the expressive words Of Mr.. Hill, it has
not proposed to take shingle of any
man roof ' but to add many u new roof
to the wealth 81 Montana. Consequently,
these gentlemen, who have already, before
they were in shape to earn any return,
spent millions among you Tor their right of
way and their road bed and material. ierl
that they are entitled to more considers.
ton than il they had been given l,unds If
the government an which they could have
raised money Tor the work, or than il the
government had endowed them with vast
grants Of lands that could have been
pledged in mortgage for the redemption IT
bonsls. They fe,l that il was more credit |
able To take the money out ri their own
pockets or raise il ON the pledges Of their |
individual credit. They know that they |
have made this addition to the property |
of the territory without cost to it's people. |
Il md further, before they had earned the |
carriage Of "a carload Of freight. or their
line is completed. the mere fact VI their
coming has broken up past combina tions |
and made future ones impossible. That |
The rumor Of their advance has saved you |
went five per cent Of your freight cha rses |
or next year. Thus beginning with a bid |
Ior your patronage and your good will,
they hope with good grsces and good sen
vice. over "a line built not for profit in con-
struction, but profit in operation. on
~hich every dollars measure of debt In
by an honest dollars worth Of
labor or material. To secure your custom
Al such rates as will pay fair interest On
|he invest ment and to which more hea Willy
Durti-ned competitors must adjust them.
,elves as bs'st they can.